Kobe Bryant Reportedly Told Dwight Howard He’s Soft

Make no mistake, the Kobe Bryant/Dwight Howard partnership hasn’t exactly worked out so far. The two have yelled at one another, there’s talk of bad team chemistry, and with the Los Angeles Lakers now at 15-18, things are only getting worse. According to the NY Daily News — which, of course, considers this a good sign for the Brooklyn Nets — Kobe called Dwight soft after a recent loss, and Howard had to be restrained from going after his teammate: “Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant just can’t get along, and there’s a team in Brooklyn that might be waiting to pick up the pieces. A league source said that the Lakers stars got into a heated exchange following a New Year’s Day loss to the 76ers, and Bryant went for a low blow – referencing and agreeing with Shaquille O’Neal’s criticisms of Howard being soft. Howard was restrained from going at his teammate, according to the source, and there have been rumblings from the center’s camp that he’s been unhappy with Bryant since earlier in the season. [...] Howard, a pending free agent, has not committed to Los Angeles beyond this season. If the Lakers decide Howard won’t re-sign, they risk losing him for nothing and it becomes more likely they trade the six-time All-Star. The Nets spent all of last year trying to acquire Howard, who admitted in October that Brooklyn was his preferred destination. The Nets are in a position to put together an enticing package if they know Howard would sign long-term to play with Deron Williams. The Nets’ previous proposals to the Magic centered around Brook Lopez, who is having a breakthrough season coming off foot surgery.”